Applies to 2003-08 models

Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The Subaru Forester was redesigned for the 2003 model year.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the head, neck, chest, and left leg indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on the right tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be possible. Head acceleration from the roof hit was negligible.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the head hit the roof inboard of the B-pillar.

Two tests of the Forester were conducted. The injury and head protection ratings for the driver are based on just the second test; measures for the driver in the first test were not used because the seating procedure was not comparable to other tested vehicles. Injury and head protection ratings for the rear seat passenger are based on both tests. Structural ratings also are based on both tests.

Injury measures

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that a fracture of the pelvis would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.

Passenger — Measures taken from the dummies in the two tests, taken together, indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection

Driver — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side airbag that deployed from the seat.

Passenger — In both tests, the dummy's head was hit by the pillar behind the rear passenger door. This pillar is required by federal standard to provide some protection for occupants' heads.